Tube cutting apparatus



Jan. 8, 1952 B. gl FRANK ETAL TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 27, 1949 wvvavroes v BEE/VA 00 E. FQA/v/r f e H/STE-Q BYWM JOHN .VV. AQMSTEO/VG 6 6512- THE/B ATTORNEYS Jan. 8, 1952 B. E. FRANK ET AL. I

TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS V .6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 27. 1949 5K 3 N z 5 m. a w

./a///v "(AZ/75770176 650265505 T50 7715/2 4 rrae vgys Jan. 8, 1952 B. E. FRANK ETAL TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 27, 1949 //V VE N T025 THE/E ATTOE/VE YS B. E. FRANK ETAL TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS Jan, 8, 1952 6 SheetS-Sheet 4 I Filed Aug. 27. 1949 3, g gwww A F WNW 4 wk It'l- Jan. 8, 1952 B. E. FRANK ETAL TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 2'7. 1949 6 S Y WM W E AEDW. N E e FW M a 5 7 52% T 0 A Z w NZ w in T J6 Patented Jan. 8, 1952 TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS Bernard E. Frank, John W. Armstrong, and George E. Histecl, Rochester, N. Y., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application August 27, 1949, Serial No. 112,794

1 This invention relates to apparatus for cutting tubing into lengths.

-An object of this invention is to provide machine for cutting tubing into uniform lengths without stopping longitudinal motion of the tubing and which is operative independently of the speed of travel of the tubing within a wide range of limits. To accomplish this object, the machine comprises a bar along which the tubing moves into engagement with an abutment adjustable along the bar to determine the length of tubing. The bar which is mounted for free movement is picked up by the tubing. After motion of the bar has started, it picks up the cutter unit which is likewise mounted.- for free movement against the action of a restoring spring which is along spiral spring having a low rate of build up. Thus the cutter unit is started into motion with the tubing and thereafter is caused to sever the tubing while moving with it at tubing speed.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1 and 2 together constitute a side view of the'apparatus, said view being somewhat diagrammatic in character since these figures are drawn to a small scale.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the cutter unit and its support drawn to a larger scale than theregion 9 of Fig. 2.

of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the line of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line |2-|2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a view in the direction of arrow l3 of Fig. 9. a

Fig. 14 is a sectional view cnthe lin |4|4 of Fig. 9.

4 Claims. (Cl. 1644-48) Fig. is a view in the direction of arrow I0 Fig. 15 is a fragmentary side view of parts in the region l5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view on the line |6--|6 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a sectional View on the line |'l|'| of Fig. 15.

Fig. '18 is a wiring diagram of controls;- and Fig. 19 is a simplified wiring diagram used in explaining Fig. 18.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a plurality of posts 29 support above. the floor indicated by line 2| an angle bar 22 which is shown in larger scale (Figs. 15, 16 .and 17) and still larger scale in Figs; 9 to 14. The bottom flange of angle 22 supports bearing tracks 23 arranged in pairs as shown in Fig. 14. Each pair of tracks receives rollers 24 pivoted on trunnions extending from a bracket 25 which is attached to a T-bar 26, the upper flange 2! of which receives the tubing T.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is a table supported-abovev the floor by legs 3|. The table supports a vbracket 32, which, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 7 comprises posts 33 attached to horizontal bars 34 and inclined bracing bars 35 which, as shown in Fig. 1, are attached to table 30. A

cross bar 36 connects the horizontal bars 34 from which bars 31 are suspended. Bars 31 and 33 support rods 38 along which cutter unit is,

slidable.

The cutter unit 40 comprises side frames 4| which, as shown in Figs. 3 and 8, have bosses 42 which receive the rods 38. Frames 4| sup: port a cylinder 45 which, as shown in Fig. 18, receives a piston 46 connected by a rod 41 (Fig. 8) with a block 48 which supports cam bars 49 slidable between the side walls 50 of a frame 5| and clamps 52 urged apart by springs 53 and having surfaces 54 adapted to grip the tubing. Clamps 52 are notched at 55 to receive a blade 56 attached by a pin 51 to a collar 58 which screws 59 attach to the block 48. Spacers 58a locate the blade 56 centrally of the collar. Frame walls 59 are connected by plate 60. v

Frames 4| are secured to a base 43 supporting a plate 44 along which the frame 5| is slidable into engagement with a lug 6| (Fig. 7) against which the frame 5| is clamped by screw 62 threaded through a bar 63 which screws 64 attach to frame 5|. When the block 48 is caused to move down by the piston 46 in cylinder 45, the clamps 52 engage the tubing and the blade 56 shears the tubing. The sheared metal parts drop through holes 5|a, 44aand 43a in parts 5|, 44 and 43 respectively. When the piston and cylby a nut 14. A spring I whose ends are atinder- 45 ascend the blade 56 is retracted and the springs 53 retract the clamps 52.

The cutter unit 46 is connected with the T- bar 26 by means providing for lost motion and comprising a bar I0 which screws 'II attach to the vertical "flangepfxthe T-bar 26 and .whichfx is provided "with a slot I2 receiving "a" screw I3 threaded through the base 43 and secured tached to screws I6 and TI threaded into-;bar I0 and base 43, respectively, operates under tension to urge the bar I0 toward the deft to -pull it against stud I3.

Base 43 has a lug 8i supporting'ascrew' 8'f retained by a nut 82 and connected with a spring 83 which, as'shown in Fig. 1',.is:; attached' to a. post 84 supported by table 36. Spring 83 urges the cutter unit 46 towardithe left (Fig. '7) "said lmotion being arrested'by engagement of frames H with; the posts 33. Lug 80 .has surfaces- 85' and 86for engaging similarly inclined surfaces. of a lever-81 pivoted on a pin 88 supported by abracket 89 attached to table 313. Lever 81 is urged upwardly by spring -90 and has a part 9| for engaging the plunger 92 of a switch MS3. Ina' manner to be described,- the cutter .unit

40is caused to move right. During this moveagainst'afpin lfl4 by aspring I05 connected with a' stud I06'carried by bar- I02 and with a 6 stud I01 carried by bar 60. As the blade movesdown plate-I 0 I releases the plunger of the switch M S2 to allow it'to' open; Atthe end of theJup ward movement of blade 56, switch MS2 is: closed, 7 I

Referring to Figs. 9 12, a plate III! supported by -T-bar 26 is secured to this bar in the desired position' by; a clamp I I I I threadedly engaged by screws I I2 passing throughthebarI I0'.- To the bar NIL-screws II3-securea=bracket II4 which, as shown in Fig. 11, supports a rod II5 pro-' viding a -pivot for a -I J shaped abutment member-I I6 adaptedtwbe engaged by the freeend of 'itubing T. The --member s I I6 is 'retairied in verticalpositio'nas shown in Fig." 9 byalatch I I! pivotedona-pin' I I8 supportedby the bracket= II'4-. -'L 'atch* I I1 {carriesa --rod or handle' II9 which a spring I20 connects-with the bracket I I4 thereby urging the latch'il I'I into position for retaining the abutment H63 Abutment I I6 1 is urged into 'a'verticalposition by a spring" I 2 I connected with said abutment and with'iath'e' bracket-H41 V The timing T is moved toward the 'right through the cutter unit and upon'theupper" surface-=21: of the -T-'-bar 26 by any suitable power driven mechanism; not{shown.- When the: tub- 4 ing T engages the abutment'member I I6 it can not then .move' counterclockwise =onits pivot I I5; Therefore the bracket II4. and-.the T-bar 26 f move with the tubing. When'the T-bar: 26 moves. toward the right in Fig.1 7 the :lostx'motion -beposition of adjustment.

4 46 in cylinder 45 is caused to descend to effect clamping the tubing and to cut it and thento retract through the medium of the control devices to be described.

After the cutting operation, the rod II9 engages :a .cammingesurface .136 91' provided by"a -bar I3I= which is attached to 'a'pl2ite I33 by screws I32 threaded into bar I3I and passingthrough slots I34 in plate I33 so that an ;l0

adjustment can be made between the bar I3I and'th'e plate I33. Plate I33 is integral with atbracket. I351. (Fig.113l' having a notch I35a for receiving ga fian'ge of angle bar 22. Screws I36 attach the bracket "I35 to bar 22 in the desired Engagement of the rod II9-with-,the ibar I3I causes the latch II! to be retracted from the abutment II6 so that the latter'can turn counterclockwise against the action of spring I2I, thus allowing the tubing T, whichihas been cut and is beingl movedzby the on-coming uncut tubing, to move-free'of .con-za nection with the :T-bar .26 against a beveled surface I Illa .Of. plate 2| I I3 thereby assisting -,,in- ,the

ejectionof the cut tubing.

The. ejection. of the tubing is effected by solenoid. S: (Figs. 15: and :16) which .comprises a:- magnetcoil I46 received by.,a laminated core I4I supported'by a bracket I42 carriedqbyazl platail43eattached-to angle 22. When coilI-ID is. energized,- a laminatedsolenoid armature I44 is- :caused to movedown and effect, througha rod vI45,-counterclockwise movement of lever-l46 againstv the action of restoring spring I41 which holds. the lever "against, the surface I48 at the uppelzi'end ofa slot-I49 through which lever:

I45 extends- Lever I46-has a notch I50 for.receiving .azsquare'shaft- I5I. togwhichhthe lever I465-is; attached bra-screw I52; The shaft .I5I has. cylindrical journal portions I53, (Fig. 14)

which .are 1journaled in bearings. provided by brackets I54. attached'to bar. 22 :and covers I55 secure-die: thebracketsby' screws I56. Bar :I5I"

is :received: byi notches'lin lever I51 (Fig; 17)

whichare secured to .thezbar by .clamp screws I58. Levers I51 are connected;by,weldingwith an'inverted U -shapedchannel I59 which straddles: .the tubing T .asiit passes. along the .T-bar Consequently downward movement .of .ar--

mature I44 (Fig. 16) and counterclockwise movementuoiwlever 146 and levers ,I5'I..cause-. right movement of the .cut tubinggand ejection there-:-

of from the T-bar 26.

Referring "to Fig-18, wires .I I and I2 connected with a suitable source of alternating current are:

Wires T1) of transformer T whose secondary winding Ts is. connected with wires 4 andrZ which supply current for operating relays REI, RE2, RE3 and-f RE4; Relay RE4 is a time delay relay providing a for lag separation of its contact;RE4.a:a=.certain tweenythe bar flnranduthe stud.:I3 is. taken sup;-

time after. its coilREAeis' connected withwires I and 2. The flow of pressure-fluid into theends *ofthe cylinder 45 is controlled by valve having ja fixed member I60 and a'movablemember 118.51 .Me'm

ber I60 has a pressure fluid inlet port .IGI andv outletports I63 and ,I62-connecteduwith cylinder 45 and drain ports I64 and I65 connected with--v thetankl'from which-the pressurefluid isi'with drawn by a pump connected with port I615: :Thev.

movable valve IHI has lands HI and I72 for controlling distributionof pressurefluid to the ports I62 and I63. As shown, port IIiI is connected with port I62"toefiect downward movement of piston 46. The member I is connected with-armatures I13 and 'I14attracted respectively by coils I15 and I16 when energized. I I

'The operation of the circuit will now be ex-' plained' with reference to Fig. 19. When the cutter unit starts movin right due to engagement of the'tubing withthe abutment member,

switch MS3 is momentarily closed'and the circuit I'is established as follows: Wire I', switch MS3,- wire 3, coil REI e, wire 4 normally closed contacts RE4a of relay RE4 and wire 2. contacts" REId and REIb of relay REI are opened and contacts REIc and REIa are closed. Circuit II is established asfollowsz Wire I, coil I16, contacts REIa, wire 2. Coil I16 being energized,

valve I10 moves into the position shown in Fig. 18

an'd piston' 46 moves down the tubing.

Referring to circuit IV, the-closing of relay contacts-REIc 'eifects energization of coil RE2e to efiect the cutting of,

of relay- RE2 through the following circuit: Wire I, contacts REIc, wire-=5, coil RE2e and wire "2.x

Energization' of coil RE2e causes closure of contacts REZb so that this coil' remains energized independently of contacts REIc through the following circuit: Wire I, switch MSI normally closed, contacts REZb, wire 5, coil RE2e and- RE4 is a time-delayrelay, contacts RE4a do not open until after cell RE2e has been energized and hasfclosedjcontac'tsREZb. -When switch M83 opens'jagain' during" right movement of the cutter unit, coil RE4e is open circuited'a'nd contacts RE4d'close a certain time thereafter.

Since 0011 RE2e remains energized after contacts RE Icare opened circuit V is completed as follows: Wire I, contacts REIb of relay REI, wire 6, coil I15, wire 1, contacts REZa of relay'RE2 Since coil I16 hasbeen o'pen-cirand wire 2. cuited by separation of the contacts REIa of relay REI. when coil I15 is energized valve I10 movesleft from the position shown in Fig. 18 to effect connection of the'pressure source with the lower end ofcylinder. I45 and the connection of its upper end with drain. Therefore, the piston 46 moves up'to retract the clampsand the blade of the cutter unit. When-the piston 46. has arrived at its uppermost position, switch M82 is closed and circuit VI is established as follows: Wire I, coil RE3e of relay RE3, wire '8, switch M52, wire 9, contacts RE2e of relay RE2, wire II], contacts REId of relay REI, wire Z. Relay 'RE3 then operates to connect the eject solenoid coil I40 with wires Ila and I2a (then connected with wires II and I2) so that ejection of the cut tubing is effected. Downward movement of the solenoid armature I44 causes the switch MSI to open thereby open circuitin the coil RE2e so that the contacts of relay RE2 remain open until relay coil REIe is energized again at the beginning of the next cycle.

Ejection of the cut tubing releases the abutment member from connection with the oncoming uncut tubing so that the cutter unit and the T-bar are caused to move left by spring 83. The left movement of the cutter unit is so rapid that, althoughswitch MS3 is momentarily closed,

the time of closure is so brief that relay REI does not efiect' closure ofcontacts REIa before switch M83 opens. Coil RE Ie of relay RE4 is open cir cuited at the end of the left movement of the cutter.

SwitchMSI having been opened: by downward movement of the eject solenoid armature, coil RE2e is open vcircuited and contacts RE2e are opened and relay coil RE3c is deenergized' and eject solenoid coil I40 is open circuited. Theeje'ctor-is returned by spring I41 to normal status:

Since contacts RE2!) are open, closure'of switch MSI in response to upward movement of the eject solenoid armature. will not cause coil RE2e to be reenergized and, therefore, coil RE3e' remains opencircuited when switch MSI trecloses.

Consequentlyat the end of the cycle, all relays are 1 de-energized preparatory to the starting of a succeeding cycle by engagement of the tubing with the abutment member II6 immediately followed by right movement of the cutter unit andlmomentary closure'of switch MS3.

While the embodiment of the present inven I -tion as herein disclosed, constitutesa preferred form, it is to 'be understood that other forms ht be adopted,

'What is claimed is as follows: r

1-. Apparatus for cutting tubing: into lengths.

while moving longitudinally comprising a cutterunit through which the tubing moves longitudinally and having means for clamping the tubing, a blade for severing the tubing while clamped and a fluid pressure motor for operating the clamping means and the blade, means supporting the cutter unit for movement with the tubing, a member supporting the tubing as it passes from the cutter unit and connected with the cutter unit, means supporting the member for movement with the tubing, an abutment carried by themember, a

latch normally retaining'the abutment in the path of movement of the tubing, movement of the tubing supporting member Y and the cutter .unit with the tubing resulting from engagement of the tubing with the abutment, means responsive to initial movement of the cutter unit from starting position for causing operation of the motor-= whereby the cutter blade advances to" cut the.

tubing and then retracts, means for retracting the latch upon movement of the abutment by the"- tubing a certain distance, means for ejecting the severed piece of tubing and'means for returning-- the cutter unit to startin position, in which the cutter blade motor is controlled by first and sec- OIId'SOlIlOidS the ene'rgization of which effects, respectively, advancing and retracting movements of the cutter blade, in which, during movement of the cutter unit with the tubing, a switch isjmomentarily closed to effect energization of the first solenoid whereby the blade advances and to effect the starting of energization'of a-time delay relay which becomes eifective after the blade has advanced to effect deenergization of 7 the ciampingnneans: and:ltl'ie ibladammeansmupi porting-mic?cutter-runitiiforsmovement lwithithe tubing-g2 a zmembeiz .r'supporting xthe' ctubingeas witv passeszfrom thecutten unit and connected with" 'the cutteriiunitg means supporting the members.

sever the tubingwhilethe cutter :isg-moving there for movement with the tubing, an abutment car-a ried by the me'mben a latch normallywetaining the=;abutment in the path :of:; movement; of thez; tubing,:.movement. of the tubingsupporting menus her. and the cutter unit with the-tubing resultinge 1,

from engagement of the tubing qwiththe abutment, m eansscresponsive :to :initial' movement f the cutter (unit fromstarting position sfoncausingg operationi of the motor "whereby ,thercutter blade/e advanceswtovcut the tubingaand-zthen."retractsy means for; retracting:the latch upon movement i of the 'zabutmentn by; the tubing :9 'icertain -:Vdi's,- tance; means .for ejecting thesevered :pieceof tubing and means for returning the cutter-1 unit to;

startingtpositioni in which the cutteriblade-mo tor iscontrolled by first and second solenoids-the energization :of which ,efiects; .respectively, ,ad-

vancing and retractingg'movements of the cutters bladepin which there" is a third solenoid for zopcrating I; the"; tubing 1' ejector; ,in;-which thereare 2 5 first,zsecond,=:thirdand ."fourth relays, the-latter being a time delay relay, in which there are first} Second and third switches, the'first switchibeing aiDOI'IIlQllYfiIOSGd switch which 1s :opened when theaejector onerates, the secondsWitch-being gal-= normally open switch: which closed Dy-1181333216 tion .'of.:.the lblade, :the third switch :being a :normally'; open switch, which is closed. momentarily during. movement of. r the cutter unit -with the tubing, and circuits making connections with-- a currentsourceas follows? a firstcircuitincluding-q the third switch,. magnet :coil of the; first re-lay and. normally -;closed contacts oi ,the fourth re lay; a second circuit including-'the'first solenoid and normally ,opencontacts of I the first relay athird circuit including; the third switch and [the magnet coil :of the fourth relay a ,fourthcircuit including. :magnetccoil of the secondwrelay and normally-pclosed contacts of the first-relay and in'shunt'with the latter,, the first switch series ing the "severed tubing jrom -the;-apparatus, and

with normally opencontactsof the second relay; a :fifth circuit including the second; solenoid normallyiclosed contacts of the: first: reIay'and normally open contacts of the-second-reIay; a six'th circuit; including the-magnet coil ofr the. thir'd relay, the second switch, normally'op'en contactsf of the second relay and normally closed, contacts oi the first relay; and acircuit. connectin'gmthei. third solenoid with a currentsource upon-enera gizatlon of the magnet coilofthethird' relay; I

' 3.- Apparatus for cuttin s-tubing intoilength's while moving longitudinally, a cutterunit mount; ed for movement with the tubingrfro m a starting; positionand having a tubing severing ,lblad past? which thetubingmoves longitudinally, an..abiit;ij 0 ment member connected with the cutter 'unitl'and,-

' normally located in the .path" of movement 'of;

the moving tubing whereby said abutment'meinil while moving. longitudinallygcomprising ascutten, nnit? through which the tubing, moves -longit porting; the acutteri unit fonmovement with;

81? -is en aeed byathe -tubin iandsmoves the cu ten-'r'unit; withxzthe .ztubingafterarengaigement+o the aabutment rmemberabygsaid tubing -zmech rendered effective after the q-ncu-tter unit is's moving with: the. *tubingIIon-causinglthe blade-to tubingifor disengaging; the latchiromthe abutment member afterv-icompletion of"the cutting ppwerationzto permit return .ofethecutter unit-to nor: mar. position,-,mea'ns -:,for returning said --cutter,;;- unit, fmeans for ejecting the-severed: tubing fr'o the apparatus?and .means responsive :to opera tionf' of the :tube severing ideviceifor controllinga theroperation-of ithe ejecting means-s 4.1 Apparatus for cutting .tubing, into -lengths dinally and having means for clamping mhez-e tubing, ,a blade wfor: severing-the tubin while clampedzand a fluid pressure motor foroperatingthe clamping :;-mea-nsand-V the-gblade; meanssupa tubing, ,a.s-;member supporting; the -tubing as passes from:- the cutter. unit andconnected with the 1 cutter 3 unit; means supporting the sure nber for & movement ;with the :tubing, -an-abutment= member, connected :withsthe, cutter unitand car- 'ried by said member," a latch; normallyhcldingw,

said I abutment member in the path ofemovement of said tubing wherebyitissengagedbythe tubing andmovementof. the latter, will efiect movemente of the :supportingcmember and cutter :unit. with 1 the tubing, means responsive to the initia1-moveg ment'of the cutterunit from its starting positionsfor causing {operationof -thefiuid;-pres suremotor to efie'ctmovement of the cuttnblade on-itscut a .11, tin ,-,,stroke and retraction :thereof, means ioper -f able: inresponse to movement; (of a the-tubing through a certain: distance for releasing thellatch from the abutmentvmember -to permit return; 0;; the cutter unit to its norma-lvposition aftercom pletionof-the cutting operation, means for eject-i means iresponsive'to operation of the tube: sever ing apparatus ,for" controllingqthe.operation of said ejecting-means. a RN ED rm- AeMemgm GEORGE .E-.QHI STED..

REFERENCES CI'T ED The: following referencesrarre 10f record Pimth; y

the ofrthis patent:

UNITED STATES-TATENTS 

